Disposable vial holder and method to prevent needle stick injuries

ABSTRACT

A vial holder is provided to protect a user&#39;s hand from needle sticks. The holder includes a handle and a shield attached to a distal end of the handle. An opening is formed in the distal end of the handle to receive a vial. The vial is placed through the opening and into a passageway of the handle with the upper end of the vial exposed. A user grasps the handle which holds the vial in a stabilized manner. A needle may then safely approach the vial in which inadvertent slippage or movement of the needle results in contact with the needle against the shield and not contact with the user&#39;s hand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/567,082 filed on Dec. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/879,258 filed on Sep. 10, 2010, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,961,490, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices and methods to prevent needle stickinjuries, and more particularly, to a vial or ampoule holderincorporating a protective shield to prevent needle stick injuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical personnel are required to constantly handle needles used forvarious purposes to include intravenous injections or shots. In order toadminister the shots, the syringe must be filled with the substance tobe injected. The user is required to manipulate the needle to draw thesubstance typically from a small vial or ampoule. The ampoule usuallyhas a rubber cork that is pierced by the tip of the needle in order todraw its contents. Often, because of the sterile nature of theprocedures, the ampoule or vial is held by a nurse or a technician whilethe physician inserts the needle in the vial/ampoule. This process isfrequently repeated during a single procedure. Less commonly, thevial/ampoule is held in one hand and needle in the other hand of thesame person. Because of the difficulty in handling the vial/ampoule inboth methods and along with the number of times in which medicalpersonnel must administer injections, it is inevitable that medicalpersonnel will receive needle stick injuries. Contaminated needles frompatients can and have infected health care providers with potentiallylethal infections such as Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

Contact of the needle with a person contaminates the needle requiringdisposal of the syringe that may have already withdrawn some of thematerial from the vial/ampoule.

There are number of prior art devices that have been developed over timeto prevent needle stick injuries. One example of a prior art deviceincludes a hand guard device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,406.Another type of protective device includes a syringe holder as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,105. Yet another example of a prior art deviceincludes a vial attachment to prevent needles sticks as disclosed in theU.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0108319. This publication moreparticularly discloses a protective disc that attaches to the neck ofthe vial/ampoule. The protective disc has a circular orifice thatenables the attachment of the disc to the vial yet allows access to thepierceable membrane/seal of the ampoule.

Yet another example of a prior art device to prevent needle stickinjuries is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,857. This referencediscloses a protective shield that receives a spent needle.

While the prior art may be adequate for its intended purpose, there isstill a need for a device to prevent needle stick injuries that is easyto use, relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and can be madesterile for use in an operating room environment. There is yet a furtherneed to provide such a device that not only shields the user's hand, butalso enhances the user's ability to hold the vial/ampoule of differentsizes thereby further preventing potential needle sticks which may occurby the inability to adequately grasp the vial/ampoule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a disposable vial holder and method toprevent needle stick injuries. The disposable vial holder includes ahandle that is grasped by the user, and a shield that overlies thehandle to protect the user's hand. A distal end of the handle includes avial opening to receive the vial/ampoule. The vial opening may beslightly tapered in order to accommodate different sizes of vials. Theuser secures the vial and inserts it within the vial opening in whichthe upper end of the vial is exposed. The user then grasps the handle,and the needle may then safely approach the vial for withdrawing thecontents of the vial.

Preferably, the shield is circular shaped which provides a configurationfor covering the hand. Alternatively, the shield may have one sidethereof which is extended to further cover the hand and part of theuser's wrist. The vial holder to include the shield is preferably madefrom a needle impenetrable material, such as an adequate selection of aplastic material. Additionally, the vial holder can be transparent,sterile, disposable, and recyclable. The handle can be made of a softermaterial as compared to the shield which may provide the user with abetter grip for holding the vial.

In one preferred embodiment, the shield is substantially planer andextends substantially perpendicular to an axis of the handle. In yetanother embodiment, the axis of the handle may extend at an angle otherthan perpendicular from the shield to better facilitate access to theampoule by the person manipulating the needle.

According to the method of the invention, the vial holder is secured bythe user and a vial is placed within the vial opening. The user graspsthe handle such that the hand is effectively covered by the shield. Theuser or another person may then manipulate the needle of a syringe towithdraw the contents of the vial into the syringe. The needle isseparated from the vial. The vial and vial holder may then be disposedof together, or the vial holder and vial may be separated from oneanother and then disposed of separately.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma review of the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 showing the holder securingan ampoule;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing the holder securingan ampoule;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing use of the first embodiment inwhich a user holds the holder in the hand, while another person holds asyringe in preparation for contacting the needle of the syringe with theampoule; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment inwhich the handle is angled from the shield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the vial or ampoule holder 10 in two preferredembodiments. The vial holder has two primary components, namely, ashield 12 and a handle 14. The handle 14 as shown is substantiallycylindrical. Alternatively, the handle can have a multi-faceted surface,such as may be provided with the handle having a heptagonal or octagonalshaped cross section (not shown). The handle 14 is hollow along aportion of its length as defined by a vial opening 16 that communicateswith an internal passageway 18. Preferably the passageway 18 is taperedin order to receive different sized vials. The shield 12 as shown has asubstantially circular shape, but the shape of the shield may bemodified to ensure coverage of the user's hand. The shape of the shield12 may be extended to also cover a portion of the user's hand near thewrist, as explained below in reference to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment, a protruding flange 30is illustrated that may further assist in stabilizing and holding thevial. As shown, the depth of the passageway 18 is the same as FIG. 2,but the protruding flange 30 provides additional coverage for holdingthe side surface of the vial.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the depth of the passageway 18 may beadapted to accommodate the appropriate sized vials V such that the lowerend of the vial V is seated against the bottom of the passageway. Asshown, the remaining portion of the handle may be solid which enhancesstability for holding by the user. Alternatively, the passageway can besized and tapered to only frictionally hold the sidewall of the vial Vand therefore have depth greater than the length of the vial.

Referring to FIG. 5, in use, a vial V is inserted within the opening 16,and the passageway 18 covers the vial V with exception of the upper endof the vial that may protrude beyond the shield 12. This configurationenables a secure connection for holding the vial, yet enables easyaccess to the vial by the needle of a syringe. Because the vial is heldwithin the holder, this provides additional stability for the user toprevent inadvertent slippage or movement of the needle as it penetratesthe seal of the vial. The user's hand H is protected by the shield, andthe diameter of the shield ensures that most or all of the exposed edgeof the hand cannot be contacted by the needle N of the syringe S.

Optionally, the shield may be made of a bright color which may furtherassist the person in manipulating the syringe to direct the needletoward the vial and to ensure the needle is appropriately centered topenetrate the seal of the vial. Otherwise, the vial holder itself may bemade of clear plastic material or any other color.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment is illustrated in whichthe handle 40 does not extend substantially perpendicular to the planeof the shield 12, but rather, extends at an angle. Therefore, it iscontemplated that the handle itself may be manufactured with a slightoffset as compared to only a perpendicular arrangement between thehandle and shield. This angle or offset handle may be advantageous tobetter align the user's hand with the approaching needle, and may dependon the preference of the user as to either an angled or perpendiculararranged handle. FIG. 6 also illustrates the shield 12 having anextension 44 located along a portion of the peripheral edge of theshield 12. An imaginary line 42 is shown as the circular diameter inwhich the size and shape of the extension 44 can be compared. Theextension can be centered over the user's wrist to provide an additionalarea of protection.

Although the FIG. 5 illustrates the user grasping the handle in aparticular manner, the invention is not limited to any particular mannerof grasping by the user and accordingly, the user may wish to mostcomfortably position the fingers around the handle. For example, theuser could simply hold the handle with the fingers in which the proximalend of the handle is placed in the palm of the user's hand. Further,while the shield has been illustrated as having a particular size andshape, the present invention also contemplates varying the size andshape of the shield to correspond with the method of use in which thepositioning of the user's hand may dictate the area of the shield inorder to cover the portions of the hand that may be exposed to a needlestick.

According to a particular method of the present invention, the vialholder V is provided and a user secures a vial within the passageway 18.The tapered passageway enables the user to seat the vial within thepassageway with a desired frictional resistance in which the vial doesnot seat in the bottom of the passageway but rather is held by thesidewalls of the passageway. Once the vial has been secured, a usergrasps the handle14 and the needle may then be safely moved towards thevial. Once the needle has withdrawn the contents of the vial, the needleis separated from the vial and the vial holder and vial may be disposedof Alternatively, prior to disposal, the vial holder and vial may beseparated from one another.

The vial holder and method of the present invention provides aconvenient, reliable, and cost-effective way in which to prevent needlestick injuries. The unique combination of the handle and shield not onlyprovides protection for the user, but also enhances the stability of thevial to prevent slippage of the needle when making contact with thevial. The invention is easily incorporated into surgical room proceduresin which the vial holder can be made sterile and disposable. Manydifferent types of plastics can be used for the vial holder, to includea wide selection for desired colors, stiffness, and imperviousness toneedle penetrations.

While the present invention has been set forth with respect to one ormore preferred embodiments it is contemplated that various other changesand modifications may be made to the invention commensurate with thescope of the claims appended hereto.

1. A vial holder comprising: a handle having an opening formed at distalend thereof, and a passageway communicating with the opening, thepassageway extending a depth within a portion of the handle from thedistal end toward a proximal end of the handle; a shield attached to adistal end of the handle, the shield being substantially planar andextending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the handle; a flangeconnected to and protruding from the opening, and the flange extendingradially inward into the passageway; the passageway is taperedcommencing at a larger diameter at the opening to a smaller diametertowards the proximal end of the handle; and wherein the vial holder ismade as a single member.
 2. A vial holder, as claimed in claim 1,wherein: the shield is made from a needle impenetrable plastic having afirst stiffness, and the handle is made from a plastic having a secondlesser stiffness.
 3. A vial holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: theshield is substantially circular shaped.
 4. A method of preventingneedle stick injuries during use of a needle in withdrawing contents ofa vial, the method comprising: providing a vial holder including ahandle having a passageway extending partially through the handle, thehandle having a proximal and distal end; providing a shield attached toa distal end of the handle, the shield extending substantiallyperpendicular to an axis of the handle, and the shield having a shape tosubstantially cover an edge of user's hand grasping the handle;providing a vial with contents therein, and frictionally holding thevial within the passageway of the vial holder, the passageway beingtapered with a larger diameter at the opening to a smaller diametertowards the proximal end of the handle; the vial having a base and acylindrical sidewall extending from the base, wherein a lower portion ofthe cylindrical sidewall contacts an interior-surface of the passageway,and an upper portion of the cylindrical sidewall located within thepassageway can be spaced from and not in contact with the interiorsurface of the passageway; grasping and holding the handle of the vialholder; moving a needle toward the upper end of the vial; andwithdrawing contents within vial.
 5. In combination, a vial holder andvial comprising: a handle having a passageway extending at leastpartially through the handle, the handle further having a proximal endand a distal end; the passageway having an interior tapered surfacecommencing with a larger diameter at an opening of the passageway at thedistal end of the handle, to a smaller diameter towards the proximal endof the handle; a shield attached to the distal end of the handle and theshield being substantially planar; a vial secured in the passageway, thevial having a base and a sidewall extending from the base; and wherein alower portion of the sidewall contacts the interior surface of thepassageway, and an upper portion of the sidewall can be spaced from andnot in contact with the interior surface of the passageway.